Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Also called: Conduit Helper, Gas Main Fitter Helper, Hydraulic Plumber Helper, Industrial Gas Fitter Helper, Marine Pipefitter Helper, Marine Steam Fitter Helper, Pipe Coverer Helper, Pipe Fitter Helper
Help plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers by performing duties requiring less skill.
What Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters do
Typical tasks
- Fit or assist in fitting valves, couplings, or assemblies to tanks, pumps, or systems, using hand tools.
- Mount brackets and hangers on walls and ceilings to hold pipes, and set sleeves or inserts to provide support for pipes.
- Perform rough-ins, repair and replace fixtures and water heaters, and locate, repair, or remove leaking or broken pipes.
- Cut pipe and lift up to fitters.
- Measure, cut, thread and assemble new pipe, placing the assembled pipe in hangers or other supports.
- Assist pipe fitters in the layout, assembly, and installation of piping for air, ammonia, gas, and water systems.
- Requisition tools and equipment, select type and size of pipe, and collect and transport materials and equipment to work site.
- Disassemble and remove damaged or worn pipe.
- Cut or drill holes in walls or floors to accommodate the passage of pipes.
- Clean shop, work area, and machines, using solvent and rags.
- Excavate and grade ditches, and lay and join pipe for water and sewer service.
- Immerse pipe in chemical solution to remove dirt, oil, and scale.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary
The median annual wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is $42,360 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $33,590 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $57,780. The mean annual wage is $43,730.
The mean hourly wage of $21.00 is 2.9× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $42,360 → in 3 years $46,600 → in 5 years $49,700 → in 10 years $58,300 (10-year range $50,100–$67,700). The model assumes pay growth of +3.2% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.